Good Food Awards 2012 Finalists Announced

The second annual Good Food Awards, a showcase for exceptional artisanal food products, has announced the 2012 finalists for all categories: Beer, Charcuterie, Cheese, Chocolate, Coffee, Pickles, Preservers and Spirits.

"The companies behind this year's 144 Good Food Awards finalists are incredibly diverse, from an 8 person goat cheese dairy in Harrisburg, Missouri to a 400 person brewery in Colorado," said Sarah Weiner, Director of the Good Food Awards. "It is fascinating to see such different companies united in the values of sustainability and social responsibility, and producing incredibly delicious food.

Beer: Goose Island's Pepe Nero was nominated, a "mysteriously dark" beer that is brewed with black peppercorns.Charcuterie: La Quercia is an Iowa-based company that puts Italian cured meat masters to shame. The country cured bacon is nominated.Cheese: There are a lot of heavy hitters in the cheese category but we have yet to have a cheese that isn't absolutely delicious from the Cellars at Jasper Hill.Chocolate: Another group of all-stars. Lillie Belle Farm has many interesting and tasty creations.Coffee: It's nice to see several midwest companies on the list: Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co., Kickapoo Coffee and Broadway Cafe and Roasting Company.Pickles: Sour Puss Pickles are nominated for its pickled ramps. That's like combining two delicious things in one!Preserves: Bourbon Brown Sugar Peach Preserves from Confituras? Yes, please!Spirits: Pisco is made stateside too, thanks to Marian Farms.

Winners will be announced January 13, 2012 at San Francisco's Ferry Building. Check out all the finalists here.